“It’s a job he’d definitely want,’’ Mr Carr said. “I would think that the most natural thing in the world is for him to stand. The race is wide open, but I found during the ballot for the security council, a lot of the members of the United Nations general assembly liked Kevin Rudd’s agenda – climate change, arms control, protection of the marine environment.

“These were things that were important to them. They also liked Australia’s international personality.

BOLT PANEL ONE
9:58

Janet Albrechtsen and Cassandra Wilkinson on Bob Carr's new book, and the effect of his 'Israeli lobby' comments

news.com.au

13 Apr 2014

News/Bolt Report

“They heard about Kevin Rudd’s apology to indigenous Australians, and they thought that was part of Australia’s international character.

“This will only stand him in good stead if he decides to stand. There are reports today he is considering his opportunities, if he chooses to stand, there are circumstances in which he would be a very strong and credible candidate. The most natural thing in the world.

“If he chooses to stand he would be a very strong and credible candidate.”

The UN General Assembly appoints the secretary-general on the recommendation of the Security Council.

The five permanent Security Council members – France, Britain, China, Russia and the US – have the power to veto candidates.

A spokeswoman did not deny Mr Rudd was interested in the job but said such appointments were made on a cyclical geographical basis and the next one would come from Eastern Europe.

“This is not going to happen,” she said. “There is a good reason for this.

“Appointments for the Secretary-General of the United Nations are on a cyclical, geographical basis.

“The current Secretary-General is from Asia. His predecessor was from Africa. Before that, there were Secretary-Generals from the Middle East and Latin America. And it is agreed that the next rotation will be Eastern Europe, who has never had a Secretary-General.

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